S3 E2 The Discipline of Lifestyle Medicine
AlteaTalks
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Rob Lawson, a leading voice in lifestyle medicine and co-founder of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr Lawson explores how our environment and everyday habits shape our long-term health. We discuss the drivers behind rising chronic disease, and the growing recognition of the importance of prevention over cure. He shares practical insights on integrating lifestyle medicine into modern healthcare, highlighting its potential to transform patient outcomes and support more sustainable, person-centred...
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S3 E1 Why Specialist Insurance Matters for Talking Therapists
AlteaTalks
In this episode, we sit down with Steve Johnson, the original specialist insurer to the psychological professions, with unrivalled expertise in providing bespoke professional liability insurance solutions to counsellors, psychotherapists and coaches. Drawing on nearly four decades of experience, Steve explores the unique risks facing talking therapies professionals today, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining safe professional boundaries, managing unrealistic client expectations and navigating the opportunities and challenges of remote working. He shares practical, real-world...
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S2 E11 The Bias Conversation | What Every Practitioner Needs to Know
AlteaTalks
In this episode, we sit down with researcher and tattoo artist Brooklyn Bond to unpack how unconscious bias shapes every corner of the beauty and aesthetics sector. From appearance-based assumptions to LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, racial, religious, age and disability bias, Brooklyn reveals how snap judgements can influence consultations, impact effective communication and damage client trust. She shares practical, client-led strategies designed to break old habits, enhance self-awareness, build resilience and deliver safer, more inclusive care in an increasingly diverse industry. ...
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S2 E10 From Compliance to Confidence | Using the Good Governance Review to drive quality and patient safety
AlteaTalks
In this episode, we welcome back Josie Winter, Clinical Lead of Advanced Clinical Solutions and creator of the Good Governance Review, the innovative digital tool that helps health and care providers assess their quality, safety, and compliance. Ahead of the Review’s exclusive rollout to Altea customers, Josie explains why effective governance focuses on people, culture, and continuous improvement rather than simple checklists. The conversation highlights how strong leadership, clear structures, and evidence-based practice can enhance accountability, build trust, and improve outcomes for...
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S2 E9 From Clinic to Community | The Growing influence of Acupuncture in UK Healthcare
AlteaTalks
In this episode we’re joined by Alex Jacobs, CEO of the British Acupuncture Council and a practising acupuncturist. Tune in to learn why these are exciting times for Acupuncture in the UK as it looks to play an increasingly prominent role in delivering efficacious and cost-effective primary care. Alex shares the story behind professional regulation, highlights the enhanced patient safety benefits of proper training, and describes how closer collaboration with the NHS is helping more people benefit safely from this long-respected form of medicine. Resources: Altea Insurance...
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S2 E8 Choice, Control and Community | What Good Social Care Really Looks Like
AlteaTalks
Beyond the care home stereotype lies a sector that’s busy transforming lives through innovation and ambition. We are delighted to be joined this month by Professor Vic Rayner OBE, CEO of the National Care Forum, and a leading international authority on the care sector. Tune in for a wide-ranging and fascinating discussion that encompasses fair funding battles, technology's exciting potential, the army of unpaid carers delivering a "second NHS," and why urgent reform is needed while awaiting the Casey Commission's 2026 recommendations. Resources: Altea Insurance...
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S2 E7: Inside Ireland's Healthcare Revolution | Courts, Cosmetics and Care
AlteaTalks
In this episode, Aislinn O’Shea, Senior Associate at Mason Hayes and Curran gives us the inside track on some of the hottest topics affecting healthcare litigation in Ireland today. She reveals how Ireland's new court practice directions are transforming medical negligence cases, potentially shaving years off resolution times and slashing legal costs. She explores the underground aesthetic industry that is affecting patient safety and explains how upcoming home care regulations may impact the Irish care sector and potentially force smaller providers out of business. ...
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S2 E6: From Botox to AI: Understanding Products Liability in Modern Healthcare
AlteaTalks
Products liability law hits healthcare professionals harder than most realise. Any involvement in the supply of a defective medical device or cosmetic product that causes harm to the recipient risks potential exposure to legal liability, even when the professional has no idea anything is wrong. Leading Products Liability lawyer David Kidman from Simmons & Simmons, joins us this episode to share key insights into the legal landmines facing doctors, clinics, and aesthetic practitioners, and to provide top practical tips to guide practitioners operating in this increasingly complex regulatory...
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S2 E5 Beyond Blame | effective healthcare investigations that drive learning and enhance safety
AlteaTalks
In this episode, Karen Matthews-Shard, Group Clinical Director at global healthcare giant Acacium Group, joins AlteaTalks to guide us through one of healthcare's most valuable and sensitive processes: the methodical investigation of adverse clinical incidents. Drawing from four decades of nursing experience across both UK and US systems, Karen explains how a combination of accountability, a supportive culture where staff feel secure reporting mistakes and an evidence-led, forensic approach to investigating root causes helps health and care providers learn from devastating incidents and...
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S2 E4 Honest Talk: Destigmatising Medical Inquests
AlteaTalks
Healthcare lawyer Charlotte Ellis demystifies inquests in this month’s episode. Drawing on decades of experience, she explains coronial proceedings in clinical settings and what professionals face when testifying. Charlotte shares practical wisdom on crafting effective witness statements, handling family tensions, and turning inquests from frightening ordeals into opportunities for meaningful systemic change and patient safety improvements. Resources: Altea Insurance https://www.alteainsurance.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/altea-insurance/ ...
info_outlineIn this episode of AlteaTalks, we welcome Victoria Heyworth and Arya Tabrizi, leading barristers with extensive experience of the cut and thrust of clinical negligence litigation.
From dissecting key legal issues to revealing courtroom secrets and discussing emerging trends, this episode is packed with invaluable knowledge for both medical and legal professionals and enthusiasts.
Timestamps
- Discussion on key legal issues including the Paul Case and McCulloch Case. (00:03:59)
- Discussion on the impact of inexperience on case outcomes. (00:22:28)
- Insights on broad rules on Contempt of Court. How Contempt can apply to any actor in litigation, including witnesses and experts. (00:25:22)
- The divide within the aesthetics and beauty sector between regulated medics and non-medics (00:32:43)
- Communication and informed consent: how clinicians should assess patient readiness for procedures and their own qualifications. (00:43:27)
- The importance of thorough staff training to ensure consistency in procedures. (00:49:59)
Resources:
- Altea Insurance https://www.alteainsurance.com/
- Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/altea-insurance/
*Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast is not intended to represent a complete analysis of the topics presented and is provided for information purposes only, for practitioners in the UK. It is not intended as legal advice and no responsibility can be accepted by Altea, Victoria Heyworth or Arya Tabrizi for any reliance placed upon it. Independent legal advice should always be obtained before applying any information to particular circumstances.